Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:15:56 -0400
From: Sean E
Subject: The Bully and the Bullied - Part 8
DISCLAIMER: I won't say anything more than just the usual - if you
shouldn't be reading this, then don't get caught! This is a short story
that involves boys who are coming-of-age, containing things that boys get
into, including sexual situations, feelings, etc. It is my first attempt
at fiction, having written only one other series based on my personal
experiences growing up, titled "Life's Road of Discoveries" (also found
here on Nifty in the Young-Friends section, posted early in 2008). This
series has no basis in truth, whereas all characters and situations are
fictional. Any resemblance in real life is purely coincidental. The era
is based in the mid-1970's.
This story will spread across 9 or 10 parts of varying lengths, and I hope
that those of you who take to it and read it through will enjoy it. As
always, any feedback is welcome (to EKidKy@hotmail.com).
I sincerely hope you like it. :o)
The Bully and the Bullied 8 Part Eight - To Never Be Alone Again
------------------------------------
"Your friend was in pretty bad shape, kiddo."
His mother's words echoed in his head, bouncing from one side to the
other and occupying his thoughts. Michael sat in the hospital room,
watching the figure stretched out in the bed before him and wondering about
the implications of that statement. Jeremy Riddle looked almost lifeless
other than for the fact his chest rose and fell in a rhythmic pattern,
signaling to the world he was still alive. Behind the bed, a bank of
monitors and boxes were methodically connecting him with wires and tubes,
keeping tally of his physical attributes. Although Jeremy's face had
regained much of its color than comparably before, it still creased with
taut lines of confusion and tension. Even in his sedated state, Michael
could see the flickering of the other kidīs eyes, its movement signaling
anything but a restful state as Jeremy lay there dreaming. Exactly of what
no one could tell, but coupled with the frowns, the erratic breathing and
other telltale signs, Michael knew the boy's dreams were far from that of
peaceful times.
He sighed deeply as he sat there, glancing at his watch every so often
and waiting for his mother to return so they could go home. Both of them
had spent the better part of the day hanging around the hospital and
sitting with Jeremy to keep him company. Although heavily sedated, Carolyn
had said there may be times he might awaken briefly, and not wanting to
leave him to chance of being alone, they had decided to attend as long as
they could. 'Not that he would have much to awaken to,' Michael thought to
himself. His mother had only that very afternoon confided in him what the
doctors had found. At first she was hesitant until Michael had finally
pleaded with her, convincing her he was old enough and wanted to really
know. Her face shown of exhaustion, and it was clear she was battling her
own judgment between what her son might have a right to know versus what he
needed to know. However Carolyn saw a genuine concern in her son, and she
gauged the sexually explicit details would never be lost on him if he
didn't have some idea of just how bad everything appeared to be. With a
weary smile, she finally relented and filled him in, hiding nothing when he
asked, and finding a great deal of sympathy in him when he seemingly
understood. She was proud of her son, in more ways than one.
Michael shivered as he reflected those words again. Carolyn told him
Jeremy had been repeatedly raped, describing in ever so delicate terms what
that meant. She also told him it wasn't just the rape itself, but
something worse; something hard had been thrust up inside, damaging his
rectum almost beyond repair, tearing lesions along the intestinal wall
repeatedly. She told him the amount of blood he lost, combined with his
exposure and lack of nutrition, had almost cost him his life. She also
told him he had been abused in other ways too, and that had made Michael
gasp in shock.
As Michael comprehended what his mother was telling him, he began to
get to buckle from the stress. When asked if he was okay, he broke down
and told her of his fears, that bringing Jeremy across the field might have
been too much, and it would have been his fault if he had died.
Understanding dawned on as she recalled a similar remark Linda had made
earlier. Placing an arm around his shoulders, she comforted her son as she
told him no, it would not have been anyone's fault. The trip might have
been a little harsh, but in fairness she reminded him that even if he did
push a little hard, the alternative was that probably no one would have
found Jeremy at all. Most likely the boy would have died that night.
Michael could not help but feel a huge weight on his chest as he stared
at the boy in the bed. "Please, Jeremy..." he whispered, unable to finish
the sentence, but secretly wishing and praying for the boy's recovery to be
soon. So wrapped in his thoughts as he was, he was startled when a sudden
movement from the figure caught his eye. At first he was unsure, but when
it happened again he bolted from the chair and rushed to stand beside the
bed. The older boy ever so slowly brought his arm up and crossed it over
his stomach. Although the eyes remained closed, gone were the rapid
movements behind them. Gone also was the erratic breathing, and the
tenseness in his complexion had been replaced with a more relaxed look.
"Jeremy?" Michael whispered. After a moment the older boy slowly
opened his eyes to see Michael standing next to him. It took him a moment
to focus and realize who was there, at which point he attempted a
half-smile, before closing them again and taking a few deep breaths. He
spoke in a whisper that was barely audible, enough so that Michael had to
strain to make out the words. "Wh-where am I?"
"You're in the hospital," he replied. He wanted to go get one of the
nurses, but hesitated as he watched Jeremy flinch ever so slightly at that
revelation.
Opening his eyes again Jeremy looked at Michael. "How...?"
"How did you get here?" Michael offered when the older boy didn't
finish. After seeing a slight nod, he hesitated, knowing the older boy was
in a heavily sedated state. Clearing his throat, he finally answered,
guarding his words to speak as clearly as he could. "I got you to Thomas's
house, remember? Then we got you to my Mom, and she brought you in here."
He hesitated. "Do you remember any of it?"
He watched Jeremy ever so slightly shake his head, and Michael paused
before he continued. "I'm... I'm sorry man, I wish I had known," was all
Michael could think to say. So many emotions were running through him at
the moment he didn't trust himself to speak, and he knew Jeremy was in no
shape to deal with it anyway. "I need to go get the nurse or my Mom, okay?
Can you, like, try and hold on for a minute?" After waiting for and seeing
the head nod ever so slightly, he took off, returning only a moment later
with his mother and another nurse in tow. Both women began fussing over
the boy, checking vital signs and then quietly talking with him, checking
his alertness and other signs of symptoms as yet perceived.
For the most part Jeremy remained silent, almost listless as he was
queried and checked over. Michael had stood back and to the side during
the ordeal, watching the proceedings with interest. Although it did not
look like the older boy was uncomfortable with the attention, Michael could
not help but wonder what he was thinking about just then. Was he scared or
afraid? Did he even understand what was going on? Did he remember
anything about the night they brought him in? At one point Jeremy turned
and focused his gaze on the younger boy, his expression revealing nothing.
Michael wondered if he was even recognized, whether Jeremy had really
understood who was there.
At one point Carolyn paused and gazed upon the older teen, studying and
observing the listless state. She glanced and then beaconed for her son to
come up closer where they eventually stood side by side at the bed. The
other nurse excused herself while she left the room for some needed item,
leaving the three of them alone. Little was said for a while until Carolyn
lowered the side rail protecting the teenager, and then turned and sat
beside him.
"Jeremy?" she called softly, threading her fingers through the boyīs
unkempt, but now cleansed hair. "Can you hear me?" His response was to
turn and focus his eyes upon her, which she took as reassuring, therefore
continuing. "I know it doesn't feel very well right now, and to be honest
for someone who has been to hell and back like you have, I can't imagine
anyone feeling very good at the moment. Listen to me though, kiddo - I
know you don't know me from Eve around here, but try to believe me, we're
going to take care of you. No one is going to hurt you any longer, you're
safe here - you have my solemn promise of that. If you believe nothing
else, try and believe that, all right?"
Jeremy stared at her a full minute while she continued to pat him and
tussle his hair, attempting to reassure him of her sincerity. Even her
words surprised Michael to a certain extent, making him admire his mother's
empathy. Jeremy eventually took a deep breath, and in a voice barely above
a whisper, he replied. "I-I know... him..." Through an extreme effort, he
took another breath and finished. "I trust h-him... so I'll trust you
too." He closed his eyes, exhausted at the effort, sinking back even
further into his pillow.
Carolyn nodded, checking his vitals before she arose from the bed.
Looking at her son, she smiled. "He needs rest kiddo, he probably isn't
going to feel like anything for a few days right now. Come on, let's get
out of here and go home." She put her arm around him as he continued to
watch the older boy, who had now fallen asleep and was once again breathing
regularly.
"Mom?"
"Hmmm?"
"I wish there was something I could do."
She could sense the despair and frustration in her son without looking
at him. "He'll be alright kiddo. He's going to have a long road in front
of him, and it isn't going to be easy." She turned and stared down into
the deep blue eyes that returned her gaze. "You are doing something, you
know? Right now, he isn't feeling anything that much, but he knows you
were here, that someone actually cared. That will mean a lot to him later,
trust me, and when later comes, he is going to need every bit of the
support and friendship he can have to help him get through all of this."
She hugged him to her tightly. "I know you want to do more, but honey
there just isn't anything more right now. He needs time heal, and he needs
sleep and rest."
His eyes were moist at hearing her words, but he understood. Nodding
his head and hugging her back, they both made their way to the door.
- + - + - + -
Later that evening across town, in another part of the county, Linda
entered her vehicle and she sat wearily for several minutes, attempting to
calm herself. Closing her eyes and emitting a deep sigh, she vented the
frustration that had accumulated in the last hour or more, willing to lose
itself from her grasp. It helped - enough so that as she finished she
heard a meek sound beside her and realized that she was indeed not alone.
Peering over into the passenger side she saw Thomas seated, his knees
pulled to his chest and held there by his arms. His chin rested on an
elbow as he returned her gaze, watching her every move now. Even in the
darkness of the night she could distinguish enough of his features to
discern his distraught state. She felt heartbroken, knowing he was feeling
something inside he should no right have to go through. With eyes that
were sullen and red, she could feel his sorrow, and somehow she wished she
could take it away.
"Mom?" croaked a voice heavy with despair. She tried to smile through
her own tears that had been suddenly formed, but instead reached down
between the seats and cleared the odd assortment of articles there. She
placed her arm around his waist and drew him close to her side, embracing
his smaller body as warmly as she could.
They both wept softly for a moment before she wiped her eyes and pulled
his chin up to look at her. "SShhhhh... you have nothing to cry about
kiddo," she said, invoking Carolyn's favorite phrase she used with Michael.
Thomas half-smiled, then wiped his eyes as well. "What are we gonna
do?"
At that Linda had to pause and consider. For the past hour or more she
had been locked into a gruesome quarrel with the elderly couple, the ones
who had once welcomed them unconditionally into their home. It was a
bitter argument, one littered with admonishments over the nature of several
things that in the end had escalated frightfully. Linda and Thomas's
absence for the better part of the weekend went on record as pretty much
unacceptable, and the elderly couple was now demanding, rather heatedly,
things that she would not give up. It had become a point of control now,
and she could see it all plainly just as Carolyn had told her. At first it
was a shock to open her eyes, to see that she and Thomas were being
suffocated and controlled as much as they were. Although it had been
building for some time, the event of the last few hours had put them both
into a position for which there was no compromise.
The weekend had been spent between Thomas's best friend up the road and
the hospital, guarding and watching the boy who had very nearly lost his
life. Linda had avoided the trip 'home', for lack of a better word,
because she had feared the forthcoming retaliation would be swift and
unavoidable. She had not expected, however, for it to become as abusive as
it did. At one point the argument had turned to shouting, and Thomas had
started to side and take up for his mother, something that momentarily she
was proud of - until he began to receive the brunt of his own verbal
lashing in return. Only seconds had passed however when they reached the
ultimate point - a point which even now made Linda still gasp in horror:
Gramps, in his attempt to silence the youngster, reared back and slapped
him. Not just a regular, turn of the mill slap either, but rather a hard,
jarring motion that had a remarkable amount of force behind it. It had
caused the boy to run from the room, holding his face with both hands while
she looked on, shocked at what she had just witnessed. Her slow disbelief
turned into anger, followed by deadly silence.
For most of his life Thomas had been a good natured kid, hardly ever
needing punishment of any kind, much less of anything severe. Not even his
father had found need to spank the kid, so settled and ambient he was with
home life and respecting his parents. To see him now slapped with such
ruggedness, unleashed fury in such a simple fashion caused her to hesitate
and watch the older man. She found fury in them, and by his own actions
and inadmissible defeat at the idea he held any remorse. It made her
question now, more than ever, the fear that had already been growing within
her about things going on she did not know about.
She silently left the room and, after checking on Thomas who had
conveniently locked himself away in the bathroom, she entered her room and
began packing a rather large suitcase with her belongings. She entered
Thomas's room just as he returned, opening his closet door and taking what
few things he had and putting them on the bed. She left for a moment and
returned with a couple of paper sacks, where he silently moved the contents
from the bed to within, filling them overly much as so.
Linda began to realize how little actually belonged to the both of them
anymore as she carried the bags outside to the vehicle, Thomas following in
his bare feet, anguished at what he was seeing. She took his hand and
gently guided him into the passenger seat, before she closed the door and
re-entered the house. Quietly walking to her bedroom, ignoring the renewed
wave of rants and ravings going on around her, she grabbed her bag and
silently returned, exiting back through the same door as before. At her
back came the usual insults, the threats - but she was resolved now that
what was happening could go on no longer.
She looked down deep into her son's eyes and spoke very softly. "I
don't know yet kiddo, but I do know this: tonight you have to tell me
something, though I now know you don't want to. You have to know I'll
respect you for it now, no matter what, but you can't hide it anymore if
it's there. You have to do that for me." When he nodded, she continued.
"Have Gramps and Grams been beating on you?" Seeing her son retreat and
shrink back, she held him firmly in her arm and whispered. "Listen to me -
listen to me, okay? I know..." She hesitated, collecting her thoughts. "I
know you probably think you're protecting me or us in some weird way, and
if that is it, I understand - I really do. I lived through some of that
when I was your age honey, and I know how it feels sometimes - we're beyond
that now. If you're bottling it up to protect us, then you can't do it
anymore. I have to know now, okay? Please kiddo, you have to tell me."
She drew his chin up again. "I know you trust Michael and he's your best
friend and all, but honey I'm trying to get you to trust me now, at least
this once. It's like this dark cloud hangs over us sometimes, you and I,
and I can't help but feel you're keeping something inside you that I need
to know. It's like something that has been going on for a long, long time.
If it's this honey, then please, you have to tell me."
She sighed when he still would not answer. "I have not been the best
Mom to you, I know that now. It's kind of hard sometimes for me to know
things, you know? I didn't have a mother when I was growing up, so when it
comes to being a mom to you, I know I fall short sometimes. I try though,
honey, I really do - you have to know I love you, right? I mean, I don't
tell you enough I'm sure, or show you enough like some people do - but
you're my son, and I'm really, really proud of you. I trust you too, and
that's why you have to help me. You have to help me learn the things you
need and want from me, because itīs a lot different growing up as a boy
than the way I grew up as a girl. Even then, no two boys or girls are
exactly the same, so sometimes parents have to still make the best guesses
we can, you know? Still, I've been around the block a little kiddo, and I
want to do what is right and best for us, and believe it or not sometimes I
think I do know what is best. I won't say I'll never make mistakes, but
that's just being human honey. None of us are perfect, but we're all
human."
She took a deeper breath as she made one more passionate plea. "So now,
right now honey, you have to trust me Thomas. I'll do whatever it takes to
protect both you and me - always. I cannot make you tell me what you don't
want to, but I'm pleading with you honey - just try for once, okay? Try
and trust me. If you tell me, right now, that nothing is going on, then I
promise I'll believe you and stop pushing this. But Thomas-" She paused,
her voice choking up. "I have to know. If more is going on..." She
stopped, running out of words to make her case.
Thomas's eyes watered as he sat there, his heart aching for the woman
before him as he began to see her in a whole new light. It took a full
minute before he came to a decision, and when he did break the silence, his
voice was heavy with emotion. "You're wrong." While Linda searched his
face, he continued and choked the rest of it out. "You're a great Mom, you
always have been to me." He buried his face in her shoulder then let out a
deep breath. "And the answer is ... yes."
Linda closed her eyes. "He's hit you? Slapped you?" Thomas nodded,
causing her to catch her breath and let it out slowly. "More?" she asked,
afraid of the answer, but vindicated when he nodded yet again. Her own
voice shaking this time, she leaned into his ear. "How much? Sexually
or-"
At that Thomas shook his head no, his face still buried in her
shoulder. "No Mom, not like that, but... He just, his belt..."
Linda gasped, holding her son tighter still. "How bad?" she whispered.
After an indeterminable pause, Thomas pulled free and turned his back
to her, raising his shirt and exposing the skin underneath for the first
time in weeks to anyone. Not even Michael had known about the whelps that
were around and below his waist. In most cases Thomas always wore his
shirts tucked in, hiding the obvious from prying or curious eyes. Most had
disappeared by now, as they often did within a day or two, but lately some
of the beatings had began leaving small bruises behind. Linda turned on
the overhead light briefly, startled at the site before her. There was no
question in her mind now as to the extent of what had been happening, and
she fought to restrain the anger burning inside her. Surprisingly it was
not her father-in-law she targeted, but this time it was with herself. She
should have seen this, should have pushed more - she was his mother! She
should have been there to protect him!
Thomas lowered his shirt and turned back toward her again, watching and
gauging her response closely. "Mom?"
She took a deep breath and smiled. "Are you hurt, right now, anywhere?"
He shook his head no. "Do you promise me that's all then, honey? Nothing
else?"
He hesitated before returning her smile. "Yeah Mom, I promise. Cross
my heart," he added, making a crossing motion on his chest using his index
finger.
She embraced him yet again while they both stared out the window toward
the house. It was dark now, and they could see two silhouetted figures
standing side by side in the doorway, highlighted by the room lit up behind
them. Linda lightly kissed the top of Thomas's head. "I believe you.
Thank you kiddo... I love you."
"I love you, too," he whispered back.
With a renewed determination, she slowly started up the vehicle and
backed out onto the road. It was late Monday evening, and she knew now
they could not return here again. They pulled from away at a reasonable
pace, Linda surprisingly keeping her temper in check. She drove a short
distance, rounding the curve as her lights lit up a rusted mailbox in the
distance, now quite familiar to the both of them. Turning into the
driveway, she proceeded to top the rise and descend into the yard, slowing
to a stop behind another vehicle already parked. Turning off the lights,
she took Thomas by the hand and smiled encouragingly. "Umm, how about
seeing if these two will put up with us for one more night?" Seeing her
son smile caused her in turn to relax.
As they approached the house, both Carolyn and Michael were waiting for
them, having heard the vehicle approaching from a distance. Carolyn opened
the door to greet them. "Long time no see you two," she said kindly, until
she saw their faces and the swollen eyelids. "Are you two okay?"
Linda shook her head. "D-do you and Michael think you could put up
with a couple of refuges for a few days? At least until I can figure
s-something else o-out to do?" As her voice began to choke up, Carolyn was
already crossing the distance between them, embracing them both in her
arms. Michael tentatively walked out to the edge of the porch, where
Thomas broke from both women and joined him. Putting an arm around his
friends shoulder, he whispered into his ear, "It's all right bro, I told
her. I told her everything about Gramps."
Michael smiled, a sigh of relief escaping him. "About bloody time, you
know."
Linda overheard the remark, breaking from Carolyn and coming to his
side and squatting down. "I owe you Michael. I probably ought to be upset
or something, but I'm not. I know I put a lot of pressure on you to find
out if anything was happening. It had to have taken a lot of courage for
you to keep quiet, and I respect that - I really do. But honey, please
listen to me for a minute. No matter how much it may hurt you or your
friends sometimes, when you know something like this is going on and don't
tell anyone, then it's dangerous. You could be hurting them even worse. No
one-" and she looked sternly at her son before returning her gaze to his
friend, "NO ONE should have to be physically abused. Sure, if a child
misbehaves some parents resort to paddling their kids, but as long as it's
not a beating - then that's okay. But honey - what was happening to Thomas
was worse."
She took a deep breath. "Michael, I understand you two have a very
close and deep friendship, and believe me - you don't know how grateful I
am for that. Sometimes though, you might have to put friendships aside for
someone - even if it hurts - because it might mean the difference of life
and death. Do you understand that? Look at the kid you guys brought in
this weekend. If someone had spoken up about him before, if anyone knew
what was happening to him and could have done something, he wouldn't be
where he is right now, would he? I know-" she quickly hushed him as he
started to protest. "I know you guys had no idea, and I believe you both,
honestly - I think Jeremy got very. But do you see? Do you understand
what I'm trying to tell you? Being silent about something this serious
could cost someone years of heartache and pent up hatred at the least, and
it could cost them their life at the worst - if it isn't caught and
stopped."
Michael's eyes were tearing up with streaks falling down his cheek.
"I-I d-didn't know mam... honestly, I didn't know."
Thomas, standing at their side, whispered sheepishly to his
mother. "It's true Mom, he didn't. I never told him everything... I mean,
he knew a little, but I was afraid if I told him all of it he would you
know, tell you guys." He put an arm around his friend, a gesture hoping in
one of forgiveness. "I'm sorry Mike, I didn't mean to lie to you, I just -
I couldn't." Michael returned the gesture, putting his arm around Thomas's
shoulder. Linda looked at both boys before smiling and then embracing them
both. "I believe you, both of you."
Carolyn cleared her throat behind all of them. "Okay, you band of
mushy warts, what say we get inside before we freeze to death." The wind
had become quite chilly that evening as a cold front moved through the area
earlier that day. Inside, Carolyn spoke up. "Michael and I were about to
have some spaghetti, have you guys eaten yet?" Seeing the heads shake no,
she addressed the boys. "Then give me about 15 minutes to fix a little
more so we can all enjoy it. You two go upstairs and wash."
As the two youngsters whooped and skidded up the stairs she turned to
Linda. The other sighed as they each stared at the other. "I know," Linda
finally broke the silence. "You were right. I guess I finally have
realized it now. I'm - I'm sorry."
Carolyn smiled. "Honey, you have nothing to be sorry for. You two can
stay here as long as you need to till we get things sorted out. Right now
though, what say we get in the kitchen and get these two teenage boys some
food in their guts."
Linda grinned and then nodded, following the woman that was very
rapidly becoming her best friend.
- + - + - + -
That night as the two boys were preparing for bed, they finally had
time to themselves once again. Throughout dinner the four had talked
extensively about what went on earlier that evening, Linda and Thomas
laying out the details of the confrontation and what had followed when they
arrived home. Carolyn only clicked her tongue, shaking her head while she
listened, and could only reassure the both of their visitors that she
believed they had done the right thing. After a while, both women steered
the conversation onto other topics, wanting to avoid the harsh realities of
the moment for the boyīs sake.
It was late now as Michael sat on the edge of the bed looking out over
the back yard through the open window. Internally he was feeling mixed
emotions, partially ecstatic at being able to share time with his friend
yet again and equally worried about their future, and the future of Jeremy
Riddle as he lay miles away alone in the hospital ward. Although he had no
doubt of the role he and his mother would play in assisting Thomas and his
Mom, helping and supporting them as much as they possibly could, he began
to see other outcomes for the more distant future.
Thomas sat down next to his friend at one point while removing his
jeans, preparing for bed. Seeing that his friend's mind was in a faraway
land, he inquired. "Earth to Michael, you in here somewhere?"
Michael grinned, turning to gaze upon his now shirtless friend sitting
nearly naked by his side. "Yeah, I'm here, I promise." He began peeling
his own shirt off, tossing it onto the floor by the bed. The door was
closed at the moment, but a light breeze still sifted through the window
screen, cooling the room as much as the outdoors. With both women
downstairs now, and the night having been born into a new change, Michael
figured they could not expect anything less now than the boys wanting a
little privacy. This was the first night they were spending together in a
different way, and although Michael was not that self-conscious around his
Mom, he could not say the same for Linda. Things were changing, and it was
striking him just then how much that fact was hitting home.
He sighed and then whispered with a tone of awe in his voice, "Do you
realize what this is tonight?"
Thomas scrunched his nose. "Um, yeah, Monday night, and I'm sleeping
with you - again." He grinned, a coy look crossing his face. "Think you
can keep your hands off me this time?"
Scoffing, Michael replied. "You dope! I haven't touched you all
weekend, have I? Well, not THAT way anyways..."
"Yeah, I know, I was just teasing." Thomas looked out the window,
frowning slightly. "So give it up, what night is this?"
"It's the first night we're spending together - as a family, not as
friends."
"Huh, I thought we WERE friends..." Thomas replied, slightly confused.
"No, no dufus!" Michael scoffed, clearly annoyed when he saw his
friend was actually feigning. He playfully cuffed him on the arm and
threatened to reach in and tickle him.
"Ow! Okay, okay, I give!" Thomas grinned, sitting there by Michael and
watching him and waiting.
Michael grunted. "I dunno, it's just - it's like it's real now, like
we really are brothers now." He looked up into Thomas's eyes. "It's
awesome, you know?" He had started pulling his belt out of his jeans by
now, to which Thomas took over, gently pushing his friend onto his back on
the bed. Standing up beside him, he undid Michael's pants and removed them
for him. When he finished, he lightly tugged his friend up and got
t-shirts for them both, putting them on before they climbed up into the
bed. Getting under the covers, Thomas turned out the light.
"Mike?"
"Yeah?"
"It's awesome to me, too." He was laying on his stomach, his chin
resting on the forearms drawn up underneath him. "And I'm sorry about the
sex joke."
Michael scoffed. "Don't be, I would have done it too if I had thought
of it probably."
They both giggled before Thomas became thoughtful for a moment.
"Sorry, bro, its just - I'm feel kinda weird at the moment, that's all.
It's like, the last few days haven't been right or something, you know? I
mean, we could have done lots of stuff probably, but..."
"Yeah, I know, with everything going on, I haven't been in much of a
mood either for messing around either." Michael leaned into his friends'
ear. "You're still my bro though, you know that, right?"
Thomas smiled. "Never doubted it. Why do you think I took your pants
off?" They both giggled before Thomas embraced his friend, holding him a
moment and then letting go, falling back to lay on his Michael's shoulder.
It was moments like these that defined the peace he felt inside as he noted
the moonlight that lit the room with its eerie shadows. He pulled his hand
back and inserted it under his friends t-shirt, feeling the warmth of the
bare skin of his chest and resting his hand across the other's heart.
When Thomas held his breath, he could feel the beat ever so lightly
underneath, and he knew the moment was a gift between them. They had come
a long way since that day on the bus, and had come even farther still since
that eventful sleepover at Christmas. They were intertwined with each
other now, their closeness sitting raw upon each others' soul. Thomas
closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in everything he could, letting it
sweep away the worries of the night. He did not know what was going to
happen with him and his Mom, but he was happy for the moment, and he felt
safe. For some reason he always felt safe where he was right now, and it
created a feeling of content unmatched in few places.
He opened his eyes after a moment and gazed upon Michael's face, where
he could tell his friend was staring at the ceiling. When the expression
failed to change, he whispered into his ear, "You want me to stop?"
Michael turned slightly, a look of surprise matching his response as he
whispered back, "Hell no!" His arm was already underneath Thomas's neck,
shouldering his friend's head while he lay there. He pulled him even
closer and lightly rubbed Thomas's back, before falling silent again.
This prompted Thomas to probe further. "What's wrong? What are you
thinking about?"
Michael grunted and then looked sheepish. "I dunno, lots of things I
guess. Like, what's going to happen to us now, I mean, you guys are going
to probably move out now, and you won't be near us anymore, and I don't
want to lose you, you know? And then there's Jeremy and everything that
happened to him. Just lots of things bro." He studied for a moment.
"Thomas?"
"Mmmm?"
"You do know about Jeremy, don't you? I mean, how bad he was."
Thomas thought about it for a moment, before he whispered, "Yeah, he
was beat up pretty bad."
Michael nodded. "Yeah, that and the other, too. I mean..." He
hesitated, lowering his voice even more, as if shielding his words
carefully. "He was fucked over hard man, you know? Whatever his Dad did,
he really messed him up inside."
Thomas stared at his friend. "How do you mean? I thought he was just
beaten really bad. Was there more?"
"A whole lot more according to what my Mom told me, and what I saw that
day. He was really fucked up hard man, like for real, by his Dad or
someone. They found stuff up inside his butt and everything, and she said
he was like all ripped up and bloody. He got hurt really, really bad."
"Holy shit, for real?"
Michael gazed back into the others eyes. "Mom told me he almost didn't
make it, cause he lost so much blood."
Thomas stared at his friend. "I didn't know it was that bad, I mean, I
knew he was bad when we took him to the hospital and everything, but..." He
paused before continuing. "You mean, he could have died?"
Michael nodded, momentarily falling silent before he continued. "You
know, I'm really sorry about what I said and did to you Friday."
"Huh?"
Michael hesitated before whispering so softly that Thomas had to strain
to hear him. "About wanting to, you know, do it sometime, all the way."
Seeing the questioning look made him continue. "You know? like... fuck and
stuff..." Seeing comprehension dawn, he continued. "I mean, I didn't know
it could be like that, you know, mess up people and stuff. And, and... I
was just horny and... I dunno..."
"Crap man, you worry too much sometimes. Just stop, you got nothing to
worry about." Watching his friend stare back at him, it was Thomas's turn
to grunt. "Listen, remember when my cousin told me some about some of that
stuff? Well, he told me it can be bad, but only if you make it bad. When
I asked him what he meant, he said something like when adults do things,
like rape kids and stuff it was bad."
He thought for a minute. "He told me other stuff too, Mike. I don't
remember all of it, but I do remember him saying things like it can be bad
if you don't take your time and stuff. I remember asking if he ever did
'it' and he wouldn't answer me, but instead started asking why I wanted to
know all this stuff. That's when I started making up something about the
sodomy stuff we saw in the paper, and then he went on to explain all that
stuff and said yeah, it can be bad that way." He let out a low sigh.
"That must be what happened to Jeremy, huh?"
Michael sighed as well. "I don't get it, man. I mean, I don't see how
anyone, especially a Dad, could do that to someone and hurt them, you
know?" He hesitated. "I... I could never hurt you like that, not ever."
Thomas studied his friend in the darkness. "Is that what you think
you'd do? Hurt me, like Jeremy's dad hurt him? Is that what you think
we'd end up doing to each other?" When his friend didn't reply, he
continued, his voice a bare whisper. "Mike, I don't think we could ever
hurt each other like that, you know? Honest, we both care too much."
Michael turned and saw Thomas's expression and smiled. "I would do
anything for you. You know that by now."
Thomas nodded. "Yeah, I know. You're doing plenty for me right now,
tonight both you and your mother for both of us. I love you guys, with my
heart - don't doubt it, okay? As for us hurting each other, it's not going
to happen, not that way anyway. I mean, if we ever do it, when we do it,
it'll be because we both want to and stuff, and we'll take time and be
careful and everything."
"You mean, you still want to? I thought I was just being, I don't
know..."
Thomas grinned. "Of course you were being a horny asshole, but a good
one too. Remember what I told you afterwards? Ever since you told me, I
kind of think I want to do it sometime, you know?" He giggled. "As long
as it's just us and the time is right and everything. I'll do anything you
want - so long as we still trust each other."
Michael whispered, "I think I'll always trust you, bro."
Thomas smiled back as he finally let his hand fall from his friends'
chest down onto his belly. He briefly reached down and cupped his friends'
groin, the soft member underneath molding up into his hand. Giving it a
gentle squeeze, he replaced the arm and hand on his friends' belly, lightly
feeling the traces of the belly button there before relaxing it. He leaned
in and nuzzled Michael's neck, breathing in and enjoying the warmth they
were sharing.
Michael closed his eyes, sensitive to the touch, a smile crossing his
lips as he hugged his best friend closer. "MMmmm... That felt good."
They both fell silent again, content to just lay there, their thoughts
wandering. It wasn't long before Thomas started feeling something change
beneath him. Underneath his hand he could feel a tightening in the stomach
muscles, ever so slightly that was extended downward beyond the edge of his
hand. Within moments that change altered the way Michael's briefs were
positioned, or rather what was positioned inside of them. Thomas was
amused as he felt Michael's erection begin to grow upwards, tenting itself
inside the waistband and extend up until it touched his friends
hand. Thomas giggled as it seemed to renew its' push and creep up
underneath, which his friend readily allowed. Michael opened his eyes to
stare at the other in mock innocence. "What? It's not my fault, I didn't
do it!"
That caused a scene with Thomas, who had to burry his face into his
friends' shoulder to stifle the laughter. Michael grinned, thrusting his
groin up into the hand that now softly gripped him. When his friend came
up for air, Michael leaned in and him a soft kiss. Thomas, initially
surprised but pleased, returned it as he slowly pushed his fingers
underneath the waistband and took hold of his friends' hardening member
underneath. At first neither said anything, Michael lying there feeling
the exhilaration at being handled, this time without clothes separating
them. He took a deep breath before moving his own hand to the front of his
friends' crotch. "Umm, can I?" he asked timidly.
Thomas answered by giving his friend a deeper kiss, pushing apart both
their lips and working his way inside to where their tongues found each
other. In the interim, he let go of Michael's boner and grabbed the others
hand, pushing it down inside his own underwear into a groin that was now
beginning to hold his own hardened member. Annoyed, he broke the kiss long
enough to mutter, "Do you really have to ask?" before resuming.
Michael giggled, fumbling at first until he had hold of the other boy's
stiffness. Feeling lower, he quietly exclaimed "Man!" when their lips
separated.
"Mmm?"
"It feels like your balls are a lot bigger!"
Thomas giggled, paused and then shrugged his shoulders while he took
stock of Michael with his own fingers. "MMmmm, I think you might be
bigger, too." They passionately made out for a few moments before both
started a steady rhythm of stroking the other. Only minutes passed before
both were brought to the height of the experience, each releasing and
giving up a part of themselves to the other through the sensual
masturbation.
As they lay in each others' presence, both watched the other, smiling
as they descended from their heightened states and wondering what the other
was thinking now. Facing each other now, ever so close, neither had
forgotten how they had shared their trust in the beginning only months ago.
They were just glad they were finally being able to share it again, and in
its own way it brought a sense of nostalgia upon them. It was Michael who
finally broke the silence.
"Thomas?"
"Yeah?" Their whispered voices were soft.
"Thanks." The words were simple, but yet they carried a meaning that
said so much more. Thomas waited but in the silence finally smiled before
he leaned in and planted a light kiss on Michael's lips. He said nothing,
feeling the moment was tranquil enough.
Michael on the other hand wasn't finished quite yet. "I mean it... not
just this, but for everything, for being with me this weekend, for not
getting mad at me about Jeremy, for helping me, for everything..." His
voice trailed off before he finally added, "Thanks for everything."
Thomas smiled and then leaned into his friendīs ear, speaking in the
same soft tone. "That's what brothers do, Mike. We help each other."
Michael smiled, his eyelids getting heavy. "I love you, you know."
Thomas, also becoming sleepy, paused only briefly before he responded,
"I love you, too." At that point they both drifted off into a peaceful
slumber.
- + - + - + -
The week passed slowly for both Michael and Thomas and their families.
The presence of spring changed the patterns winter had held on their lives
for so many months. The warmer weather invited lawns to turn greener and
grow, and caused many people to begin tilling and establishing various
gardens and flower beds for the oncoming seasons.
Although the Wilson's had arrived as guests, Carolyn made no pretext
that they were welcome to stay indefinitely if needed. The downstairs of
the house had a small room off the back corner which was quickly converted
into a temporary room for Linda. Removing various boxes to the upstairs
attic allowed then to barely squeeze a small bed and mattress into the
space, of which Linda declared would be fine for a while. She and Carolyn
had already been discussing the arrangements, of which she was told in no
uncertain terms that they would not be "allowed" to leave until they were
ready. Carolyn even hinted to the fact if it need be, they would find
bigger quarters for her sooner rather than later.
Linda was beside herself throughout the week. Each evening she came
home after having been to their previous residence, each evening saddened
at the things that were happening. When Thomas inquired, she would shake
her head and simply smile, saying it was nothing he should worry about.
Thomas, on the other hand, did worry - because although each trip saw more
of their personal items retrieved, he wished that his grandparents would
just understand and leave his mother alone. He knew the mind games they
could play, had seen happen a long time the guilt and anguish they could
dish out. He had been on the receiving end of it himself. Here however,
he had no power to help her.
Carolyn for the most part had been working her shifts as usual,
breaking when she could to check on Jeremy as she had promised. Each
afternoon both Thomas and Michael arrived to check on him as well, using an
alternate bus route from school. At first the visits were stoic and
uneventful; each day found Jeremy in a deep sleep brought on by the various
medications. Michaels' mother assured them, however, that physically their
friend was improving, and would be alert soon. Sure enough, their arrival
on Friday afternoon found a considerable change in Jeremy's condition.
When Michael stuck his head into the doorway, his eyebrows shot up and he
quickly turned to someone in the hallway and muttered "Hey! He's up!"
Opening the door wider, both he and Thomas entered the room and walked
tentatively over to the bed.
Jeremy was inclined in the bed, his head elevated to where he was
actually looking out the nearby window. Not that there was anything much
to see - its' view opened only to the brick wall of another section of the
hospital. Upon hearing the two arrive, he slowly turned to watch them
enter. Both boys saw that despite the days of rest and sleep, the older
teen still had darkened circles under deep, expressionless eyes. His hair
had been combed earlier that day, but it was parted in an odd way that made
his features appear strangely out of place.
He said nothing as they approached and stood beside the bed, his eyes
lost for a moment. Thomas hung slightly behind his friend, who had stepped
clearly to the bedside and stopped. Watching the other for a reaction and
finding none, he finally relented and greeted the older boy. "Hey."
At first Jeremy said nothing, but suddenly sighed. "Hey," he replied,
using a soft tone as well.
"How's it going man?" Michael continued.
Jeremy thought about that a moment, before shrugging his shoulders.
"It's going." After another awkward pause, he continued. "What are you
two doing here?"
It was Thomas who replied. "We came to see how you were doing man," he
stated boldly, but with an equally gentle tone as he stepped up next to his
best friend.
"Yeah," Michael added. "You've been sleeping so much this week we
never got to see you, other than just checking in and stuff."
Jeremy furrowed his brow. "You've been here all week?"
"Every day yeah, after school. Mike's mom works downstairs in the care
center," Thomas answered.
Jeremy thought about that for a second. "How do you get here?"
"There's a bus from school that comes by here," Michael replied. "I
used to take it every once in a while when I knew Mom was working late; she
would have me get off here instead of going home."
"Oh," was the sullen reply. Another awkward silence filled the room,
before he turned to Thomas. "I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
Jeremy looked at the younger boy for a moment then took a
deep breath. "I'm sorry about that afternoon, on the bus. I lost it, and
you didn't deserve it. I was a dick head, and I'm sorry."
The apology had come out of nowhere, and was so abrupt and plain-spoken
that both Michael and Thomas were stunned. Jeremy Riddle never apologized
to anyone for anything. That included kids, students, teachers or adults -
or so it was enamored for everyone to think that way. Jeremy's reputation
from the past precluded him from stooping down to that level, so the shock
registered on both of the younger boys faces so quickly it actually made
the older kid grunt. "Don't let jaws mop the floor around here, they
aren't very clean."
Michael finally burst out laughing and then abruptly stopped. Turning,
he watched his friend grinning with embarrassment as he hung his head.
"Forget it. I'm sorry I called you a faggot. You didn't deserve that
either."
"Yeah, I did." It was another surprising turn for such a sudden
direction of the conversation. Both Thomas and Michael were left
speechless, unsure of what to say.
"I was a dick head to let it get to me, and I tore a new hole in
anyone's ass that I could take it out on. That included you," Jeremy
finally offered in lieu of explanation. He glanced between the two of
them. "At least you two came out okay, so that much is good I guess."
Michael furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
"You two have a good friendship, that's all."
Michael snorted. "You have friends, too."
Jeremy shook his head. "No, I don't. All I ever had was dip shits who
were scared of me, afraid I'd rip their balls off if they didn't play
along. I never had any real friends. Well, except for maybe one..."
"You mean Mathews," Michael offered.
Jeremy nodded, turning to look out the window. "He was the only one
maybe, although I think he wasn't all that different from the rest."
"He was, man.' Michael cleared his throat. "Jeremy? What's wrong? I
mean, you're... You shouldn't..."
Jeremy laughed. "What? Shouldn't be like this? Shouldn't be reliving
the past, seeing how my life is all screwed up and shot to hell?" His tone
changed, almost challenging. "Listen jerk, odds are I'm gonna be stuck in
here a long time by the time they finish screwing with my head, and knowing
them it will probably be just as bad as what my old man put me through, you
know? So while I got some sense knocked into me just take it, take my
apology and do whatever you want with it." He softened at the end,
catching himself as he realized what he was saying. "Please," he
whispered, "just... I'm sorry, I shouldn't have called you a jerk either, I
just... Right now I'm just really screwed up, okay?"
With surprising strength, Thomas walked behind Michael to his other
side and approached closer to the bully. Reaching out, he placed his hand
on the other kids shoulder. "It's okay man, honest. What's done is done,
it's over." Jeremy was trembling underneath the touch, but Thomas felt not
only the emotion underneath, but also that the whole body was trembling.
He slowly withdrew from the touch, unsure if it was welcomed or not.
Michael saw what was happening as well. "Forget it man. Oh, and that
thing about friends? Sometimes its all overrated anyway." Glancing at
Thomas he grinned before returning his attention to the older kid. "I know
this much - you got two friends here if you want us, real friends. And
we're not scared of you beating the shit out of us, trust me." He giggled,
"But ummm, our Mom's might not like the idea too good, you know?"
That made all three of them laugh, and Jeremy visibly relaxed at that
point, grinning. "Jerk - and yeah, I mean it that time!"
Michael took it good naturedly. "Um, there's something else you should
know Jeremy, about Austin."
The smile left the older boy's face. "You know him?"
Michael nodded. "Yeah, his brother's in here just down the hall."
Seeing the questioning look, he continued. "Nobody knows exactly how it
happened, but somehow Kevin got hold of some drugs."
Jeremy stared blankly for a moment. "Drugs or weed?" he asked simply.
Thomas spoke up. "We know you found the bag on him, the weed, and
stopped it, but that's not the same."
Michael nodded. "Austin told us what you did, but somehow Kevin got
hold of some really powerful stuff, and according to him it was way worse."
"Shit!" Jeremy swore under his breath. His head sunk back into the
pillow even more, and both boys had the impression the older boy was
struggling at the moment to stay with them. When he spoke again, Jeremy's
voice was but a whisper. "What happened?"
"Austin went home that afternoon and found his brother convulsing and
everything in his room. We don't know everything that happened, but
somehow Austin got him here, and they've been treating him for like, the
last three weeks or so," Michael explained. "Mom told me he almost died,
that if his brother hadn't found him he probably would have."
Jeremy lay motionless for a full minute before heaving a big sigh.
"How? I mean, how could that little dipshit get hold of drugs in the first
place? He's only what, 13? Isn't he the same age as you guys? And how the
fuck... Shit man..."
"Nobody knows, he won't talk about it. I mean, he is getting better
now, that's the good thing. Austin says he is doing tons better, but Kevin
won't tell them anything about where or who or how, though..." Michael
glanced at Thomas before lowering his voice. "We think it has to be
through some of the guys he hangs with, you know, maybe an older brother or
something, but..."
"Yeah, but we really don't know. We've never messed with anything like
that," Thomas filled in.
Jeremy could have smirked at them, given the absurdness he thought
these two boy scouts displayed was a bit much. He kept those thoughts to
himself though, instead contemplating the news. "You said down the
hall... He's here?"
Michael nodded. "Don't you realize where you're at?"
"Hospital, but..."
"You're on the third floor Jeremy, on the east end." When the other
boy showed no recognition of the fact, Michael continued. "This is the
secured wing, where they put long term patients in and stuff. You're here
because they haven't found your Dad yet, and they're afraid to put you in a
normal room right now."
At the mention of his father, the older boy's face tensed and turned
white. "Have they found him?"
Both boys shook their heads. "Do you have any idea where he could be?
Where he might go or hide or anything?" Thomas asked.
"I don't give a fuck about him any more than he ever gave a fuck about
me." The last was stated strongly with a surprising conviction that made
the younger teens start.
The room fell silent, and all three were lost in thought for a while.
Eventually there came a knock at the door, and all three turned to see
Carolyn enter the room, smiling when she saw Jeremy was awake and alert.
"Why, hello there! It's good to see you up and alert finally!" Stepping
nearer, she stood beside the other two boys and looked down at the figure
in the bed. "How are you feeling young man?"
Before Jeremy could answer another knock came from the door, followed
by a older man entering. "Well, well, our Mr. Riddle has joined the world
of the living again!" He smiled as he walked around to the opposite side
of the bed. "Hello there, I'm Dr. Riddle. I don't think we've been
introduced yet."
"Riddle?" Jeremy replied weakly, his face betraying a level of
amusement at the similarity of their names.
"Yes, I thought that interesting as well," the doctor replied,
chuckling. "So, how are you feeling today, hmm?"
Jeremy thought about it for a second. "Tired, weak."
The older man nodded. "To tell the truth, that's understandable. You
haven't eaten anything for several days now, and your body is probably
getting tired of all these fluids," he added, indicating the IV tubes that
stretched from their holder to the young mans' arms. The doctor nodded to
Carolyn and the boys, greeting them in turn before returning his attention
to Jeremy. "Well, why don't we see how you're doing, hmm? Maybe we can
take some of these things out and start you on some real food. Would you
like that?" He smiled. "If you boys would wait outside, I'll let your
mother assist me here for a minute."
Jeremy looked at the older adults and then whispered. "No, let them
stay." His voice had turned suddenly weaker, and both Thomas and Michael
were surprised at the request. Glancing at their mother, she too found the
situation surprising.
"You understand honey, the doctor-"
"I know what he's going to do, just get it over with. Let them stay, I
don't care." Although still hoarse, his voice took on a more assuredness,
so Carolyn nodded to the boys, who moved back away from the bed to give the
adults more room. The elder man smiled and nodded before reaching nearby
to acquire a pair of protective gloves, which he promptly put on.
Both the doctor and Carolyn rolled Jeremy gently onto his side, his
weakened state preventing him from moving any on his own. Pulling the
covers down and off of the boy's waist and legs, the doctor gently lifted
Jeremy's leg up into a position supported and held in place by Michael's
mother. As the doctor gently probed and examined the affected areas, both
Thomas and Michael moved back to the far wall, each standing quietly out of
the way. Michael's mother stood between them, obstructing any view they
might have had of the older teenīs nether regions, but they could see the
middle thighs between his legs were still bruised and streaked. Eventually
the doctor gently lowered the elevated leg and with Carolyn's help he
returned Jeremy to his back. Once there, he examined the boys groin before
pulling the hospital gown back to its original position.
Nodding his head, he smiled at the young teen while he removed his
gloves. "Not bad young man, not bad at all. You are healing as well as
can be expected I think, and perhaps even better."
Jeremy stared at the man for a moment. "Will you answer some things
for me?" he asked eventually.
The doctor sat down on the edge of the bed. "I'll answer anything you
want to know. What's on your mind?"
The doctor's smile and gentle manner was a surprise to Jeremy. Looking
up into the old mans eyes, he searched and found a rare warmth there, and
for some reason right then he decided he liked the man. "H-how bad? How
bad was I?"
The man understood. "Well, you gave us a scare for a while. I won't
bore you with a lot of terms you probably wouldn't understand, but the
basics are pretty simple. We know you were molested and sodomized, but you
were also violated with something a lot harder and rougher. It messed you
up inside pretty harshly, causing you to have a lot of problems along your
bowel track and lower rectum. You lost an incredible amount of blood, and
to be honest you were only a hairs breath away from probably developing
blood poisoning. To have survived as long as you did was really a
miracle." He glanced at Michael. "I understand you're the one who found
him, right?"
Michael walked back over to the bed, Thomas close behind him. "Yes
sir."
"Well, it's a good thing you did. From what you told your mother, he
was undoubtedly in shock, and although I'm not sure I would have prescribed
what you did afterwards, it worked out just fine. That acted as a
catalyst, enough so you brought him out of shock to deal with the present
probably, and getting him out of there to help was your only choice. You
did really well young man, all things said and done." He returned his
attention to the boy in the bed. "Understand this Mr. Riddle, you have
been in this hospital now for a week. After a little reparative surgery,
we've kept you fairly sedated, trying to let your body heal itself inside,
so to speak. Moving around, tossing and turning would not help the sutures
and stitches we have in place. That is why you feel so weak - the only
thing your body has had running through it in the last week are these IV's
and supplements."
Jeremy absorbed all of this and studied for a moment. "What happens
next then? When will I get out of here?"
The doctor smiled and took a deep breath again. "Not for a while, I'm
sorry. Right now you're protected here for other reasons, but you're also
here because you need some help young man. It will still take another week
or so for your body to heal to the point you can get around very much.
Right now, I think I am going to go order the nurses to start you back on a
solid diet, just liquids tonight, maybe some fruit, so you can build
yourself back up. If you're feeling better tomorrow evening, we might get
a physical therapist up here to help you start sitting and standing up.
Mind you, it will take you a few days before you will be able to walk
again."
"Why?" Jeremy asked.
Dr. Riddle paused, then his voice softened. "You can't feel it now,
son, but you're going to have a lot to deal with for a few days. Just
trust me on that, okay?" He held up both hands when he saw the objection
start to show itself in the teens face. "No, I promise, I'm not holding
out on you. Just call it something from experience. When a body has been
down such as yours, then your whole equilibrium gets off a little. That
and the fact you will have to deal with some discomfort for a while. It's
just going to take time, that's all."
He glanced down for a second. "There is something else I think you
need to know. It's not anything to be overly concerned with right now,
because you're still young, and there are many treatments that can be
effective at dealing with this. But you should know, at least." His
hesitation caused a look of concern to cross Jeremy's face, causing the
doctor to smile sadly. "Your scrotum was considerably damaged."
A look of calm crossed Jeremy's face. "I know." Everyone heard a
small gasp and upon turning, realized both of the younger boys were still
at the wall. Carolyn motioned for them to join them while she explained.
"It's not as bad as it sounds, honey. You'll have to have some treatments
eventually, that's all. Right now you're just really swollen, and when it
goes down we'll know better what to do."
The doctor nodded. "She's right son, it's not that bad. I just felt
you needed to know because you're going to have some considerable
discomfort there for a while once you start moving about. I would, ahh,
avoid any sort of - well, 'exercise' of any sort for a while if I were
you." The man was being as professional as he could about it, but he still
displayed a slightly amused look as he addressed the older teen. Once
Michael and Thomas realized what he was referring to, they found the point
embarrassing, especially with Michael's mother in their presence.
Jeremy on the other hand just relaxed back into the pillow again and
smiled weakly. "No problem there doc - boners and me don't get along
anyway."
The older man nodded and smiled before standing to leave. "I'll leave
word outside, and although I am sure you've had plenty of rest thus far, I
would encourage you to try and get a little more. The sedative is wearing
off now, and you'll find normal rest is different than medicated rest. It
would do you some good to try and get a good night's sleep." He nodded at
the rest of them before excusing himself from the room.
Carolyn looked at her watch. "I get off in about 10 minutes Michael.
Why don't you two stay here a few minutes and then meet me down in the
waiting room." Glancing back over at Jeremy, she ran her fingers through
his hair briefly. "You're going to be fine Jeremy, you have my word on
that, okay? Don't fret or worry about things right now, you've got people
who care and are looking after you kiddo."
"Will you be back?" he asked weakly.
"You bet," Michael interjected without hesitation.
Carolyn smiled. "We'll be back to check in on you a while tomorrow.
Besides, I don't think you could keep these two away if you tried." She
smiled before excusing herself from the room, leaving the three boys alone.
Jeremy looked up into their faces. "You two... you've been here every
day?"
Michael nodded. "Yeah, every day Jermz."
"Thanks man." His eyes were moist, as he gazed into the other's face.
"I d-don't deserve it, but thanks man, for everything." He looked back
behind into the Thomas's face as well. "You too. It means a lot to me."
Smiling, Thomas whispered back, "Anytime."
Michael echoed it. "Let us decide what you deserve, okay? Anytime
man... We'll be here for you. Promise." He squeezed the hand in his grip
as he felt Thomas reach up and add his strength to it as well, both boys
clasping the one underneath. "Both of us," Michael added.
A few moments later after they left, Jeremy cried silently. So this
was what it meant to have friends. So strange was the feeling to him, he
was overcome with emotion at having felt something different for a change.
After all the years of hatred, after all the hardened walls he layered
himself with, even after all the shunting of his feelings and bottling them
away - he finally felt something different.
And he remembered the last time he felt that way was in his mother's
arms...
(To be continued...)
---------------------------------
Comments to: EKidKy@hotmail.com
Other series by me:
- Life's Road of Discoveries
(www.Nifty.org, Gay-Young Friends section, Early 2008)
- Terry and Sam - Short Story, Holiday Christmas Collaboration w/Ruwen
(www.Nifty.org, Gay-No Sex section, Late 2008)